WSC is engaged in software development for the industry, including the design, development and implementation of new and replacement simulators, as well as the upgrade and support of existing industrial simulators, simulator and monitoring applications.

Successful full scope simulator development and delivery requires a detailed process, which involves several tasks that WSC has streamlined over the years to allow quicker delivery times and lower costs to our customers. These tasks include model development, integration, execution, test, visualization, and analysis, which are all enhanced through the use of our 3KEYMASTER™ Simulation Platform, which provides everything needed to accomplish these tasks, with time-saving efficiency and engineering rigor, in a single, integrated environment. Additional information on our high-fidelity full scope simulator offerings can be found under the Simulation Tab.

Below is an outline of the processes that will occur over the course of most projects, culminating in site acceptance of the simulator.

Project Plan and Project Deliverables

Project Progress Reporting

Design Phase

Model Development

Acceptance Test Procedure ATP Development

Computers and Hardware Procurement

Non-Integrated Systems Test

Integration and Initial Testing

Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

Pack, Ship and Install

Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)

Training

Documentation

Warranty and Post Installation Support

New Paradigm – Simulation not just for training

Historically, full scope simulators have been acknowledged as an effective tool for providing operator training and have been required for years in the nuclear power industry. As competition has increased across all energy sectors, the benefits of full scope simulators are now being realized in the other power industry sectors and WSC has played a major role in bringing full scope simulation to the fossil, combined/simple cycle, hydro-electric and solar power plant industries. In addition to operator performance improvement through comprehensive training programs, full scope simulators are used to improve plant and personnel safety, plant and equipment reliability, as well as for reducing operating costs by improving plant availability.

Improved Operator Performance

Operator performance can be significantly improved by reducing the amount operator-controllable losses, which are caused by an operator’s action, or lack of action, which are measured by the number of megawatt hours that could have been produced had the operator responded differently. Simulator training programs can be tailored to cover the causes of operator-controllable losses. In many cases, a modest percent of increase in simulator training can ensure that operators know how to respond more efficiently, which can translate into potentially large dollar savings. Through improved personnel training and utilization of advanced simulation technology, reducing these controllable losses can be realized through a WSC 3KEYMASTER™ Full Scope Simulator by allowing operators to practice and gain confidence to reduce operator-controllable losses.

Additional Benefits

In addition to the benefit of improved performance as a result of simulator training for operators, there are a number of other benefits. Effective uses of simulators include engineering applications and personnel or organizational benefits.

Engineering uses of simulators also provides benefits. Specific areas of simulator applications include Instrumentation and Controls Testing and Human Factors Design Evaluations. The opportunity to try out new control workstation design, to test new processes and modifications, or to simulate new technology before implementing it in the station can add up to significant increases in efficiency and effectiveness when utilities are faced with making changes in the control room or addressing existing problems with control room operation.

Personnel or organizational-related benefits can also provide indirect paybacks of simulator purchases. Potential benefits in this area are as follows:

Operator Acceptance: New technology, procedures, and processes can cause problems with those responsible for implementing them if they have not been included in the decision making or have not been exposed previously and deliberately in a positive way to the proposed change. The simulator provides an excellent vehicle for obtaining "buy-in” from control room operators, as well as invaluable information on the effectiveness of proposed change. For example, in an older plant, using a simulator is a perfect method for training and ensuring operators buy-in on upgrading to the use of soft controls (DCS) for operating the plant. Using computers to run the plant is very different from turning knobs and dials and can often be quite intimidating to an operator used to running the plant from a bench-board or panels. A simulator is the optimum method for introducing an operator to the LCDs and the soft control method of running the plant.

Personnel Selection: The simulator provides the opportunity for evaluating supervisory and management skills during real-world control room situations. These evaluations can be helpful in determining personnel readiness for supervisory and/or management positions and are often not feasible during daily operation. Additionally, personnel suitability for other control room positions can be evaluated.

Familiarization for Non-Operators: Non-operations personnel can benefit greatly from familiarizing themselves with the control room via the simulator. This orientation provides invaluable perspective for personnel who are responsible for supporting control room operations in some capacity.

Corporate Philosophy toward Employees: Investing in something as substantial as a simulator sends a strong message of corporate commitment to training and development, as well as all of the non-training benefits discussed above, to all personnel. A statement as strong as purchasing a simulator sets a standard for excellence organizationally and can improve morale and performance. People like the idea that their company is willing to invest in their development, both personally and organizationally.

Public Information and Public Relations Tool: Simulators have proven to be extremely effective in providing information to the public regarding power plant operations. As with all public relations affairs, ensuring accurate information is available reduces the possibility of misunderstanding or the generation of misinformation.

Summary

WSC’s Full Scope Simulator Solutions, combined with an effective training program can provide a significant return on investment through improved plant availability and reliability, higher efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and longer equipment life. WSC has an outstanding reputation for working closely with our customers to provide a complete spectrum of high-quality and cost-effective simulators. Through our many partnering arrangements with I/O, panel, and computer system vendors, WSC is able to offer each customer an optimal solution for their full scope simulation needs.